Hugh Jackman on the timeless allure of NYC, the best place for date night and why bespoke is best
The actor on the daily indulgences and grand vistas that make life sweeter.
What’s your definition of luxury?
It means treating yourself as important, in whatever form that takes. It could be clothing, or it could be choosing to spend time on yourself.
What is your ideal destination?
New York is our home and I love it, but it takes a while to switch back into the pace after being away. I’ve just been to the Turks and Caicos Islands, which was like a dream. The colours of the sea and the sky are hard to comprehend.
Australia is still very close to my heart too. I can see the sunset on Bondi beach from my balcony in Sydney. And Byron Bay is an incredible place: the food, the surf, the people, the music… Everything is designed to put you at ease.
What drew you to becoming an ambassador for Montblanc?
My aunt is a real film snob, and when I told her I was going to work with them she said, ‘Finally, some class!’ I think luxury means having a rich history and honouring it. I’ve been to the company’s leather workshop in Florence, and the level of expertise there is something else.
Who are your favourite designers?
I have been lucky enough to have suits made for me by Tom Ford, Dunhill and others. Once you go bespoke, it’s very hard to go back.
Where do you go on date night?
Eleven Madison Park is an incredible restaurant in New York. My wife and I are about to have our 22nd wedding anniversary, but our dining tastes differ a great deal. She likes a 45-minute affair; I like a long, drawn-out meal with wine pairings – Eleven Madison does a fantastic eight-course menu, and you get to have more wine that way.
What’s your favourite form of transport?
A bike – always. It’s the best way to see a city.
What’s your poison?
I’m a big coffee drinker. An Italian roast from Laughing Man is the best (it’s a charitable foundation I founded to help coffee farmers in Ethiopia). That stuff will keep you going.